BONNYVILLE – The Bonnyville Shooting Sports Association (BSSA) held its annual ladies shoot at the Bonnyville shooting range, where women could sign up for a day of learning and experience.
Jason Carroll, BSSA Vice President, said the event saw a record number of participants. Sixty-three ladies over the age of 16 attended the event, topping their previous 2019 record turnout of 47.
Participants of all skill levels were welcomed, and no firearms license was required for the event that took place on May 31. The event was free of charge and aimed to offer women an opportunity to experience the shooting range in a fun and welcoming environment.
“For over a decade, the BSSA has hosted this event annually, and always free of cost to participants. Luckily this year, Wood & Munday LLP came on board as a sponsor to help cover the cost of ammunition and food for the free barbecue we offered. I estimate that there were over 1,000 rounds of ammunition shot during the event,” said Carroll.
Attendees got one-on-one support to teach them about firearms safety and got to try out a variety of different firearms. Carroll said he saw a lot of smiles and high fives throughout the day.
“Teaching firearms safety is one of our biggest goals for the day, and we also are trying to take away the negative stigma that legally owned firearms are receiving these days. We see many shooters go from nervous to relieved and excited in just a few shots of their first gun. A big part of that I credit to our great team that takes their time to teach, share their experiences and encourage each person,” said Carroll.
Carroll said they see a wide variety of experience levels at the events, from first-time shooters who have never held a gun, to ladies who own their own firearms.
“By the end of the day, we had great feedback and a lot of compliments about our beautiful facility that is now 42 years old,” said Carroll.
Upcoming events at the Bonnyville Shooting Range include a Memorial Shotgun Shoot on June 8 in memory of past club president Jim Miller.
The BSSA is also hosting an open house on Aug. 8 and a free Youth Shoot on Sept. 21.
